Entertainment

'Popcorn Time' Makes Illegal Movie Downloading Too Easy

"Popcorn Time" sounds like a trip to the concession stand, but it's actually a website that makes the illegal downloading of films almost too easy.

BitTorrent has been around for years but is mainly used by tech-savvy types to download films and TV shows.

Popcorn Time is also a torrent but makes downloading movies super easy, without needing much tech knowledge.

By activating the free, downloadable Popcorn Time software, users can download movies and "seed" those same films to other Popcorn Time users.

According to DigitalTrends.com, Popcorn Time's library includes older films, such as Alfred Hitchcock's "Strangers on a Train" from 1951, as well as movies that are still in theaters.

Popcorn Time's website library looks very much like Netflix, but unlike that pay service, Popcorn Time is technically illegal because it doesn't have licensing rights to the films.

“We don’t expect legal issues," the website's designer, called "Sebastian," told TorrentFreak.com. "We don’t host anything, and none of the developers makes any money. There are no ads, no premium accounts, and no subscription fees or anything like that. It’s an experiment to learn and share."

However, similar free experiments have been shut down for copyright violations, such as Limewire and Kazaa.

On its website, Popcorn Time seems to be trying to offer protection to its users: "Your movies will stay buried in a secret folder somewhere in your drive until you restart your computer. Then it will be gone for good."